Serving up a tray of battlefield relics at Thompson's Station

Would you like a tray of relics with your coffee? Aaron Sanders of Homestead Manor
shows artifacts from the Battle of Thompson's Station. (CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE.)

A close-up of the cannon ball and battlefield artifacts.

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During a recent visit to Homestead Manor, Aaron Sanders — who manages operations on the property for Hope Unlimited — showed me a tray of battlefield relics. The early 19th-century HM residence turned church/coffee shop/community center stands in Thompson's Station (Tenn.) astride the Columbia Turnpike—that's State Route 31 for those of you who live in the 21st century.

The star of Sanders' relic show was a solid shot — I think it's a 12-pounder, but I am no ordnance expert and never was good at those “Guess My Weight” games at carnivals. The cannon ball, which crashed through the house during the battle, was used for decades as a doorstop by mansion owners. The wartime owner was a Confederate officer named Thomas Banks (no relation).   

The 159th anniversary of battle is March 5.

Homestead Manor served as a hospital at Battle of Thompson's Station.

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